Honestly, if you're standing near the Seine today, you’ve probably noticed that "chilly" is a bit of an understatement. Right now, the temperature in Paris is 44°F. It’s that classic, gray Parisian winter day where the humidity sits at about 78%, making the air feel a lot heavier than the numbers suggest.
The wind is currently coming in from the east at a gentle 4 mph. It’s not a gale, but it’s enough to make you tighten your scarf. If you were hoping for a bright, sunny afternoon to take photos of the Eiffel Tower, you might be a little bummed—it’s strictly cloudy out there.
What is the temperature in paris right now and what should you expect?
The "real feel" is the thing that usually trips people up. Even though 44°F doesn't sound like freezing, the lack of sun and the high moisture content in the air means you’ll feel the bite in your bones after about twenty minutes of walking.
We are looking at a high today of 48°F and a low tonight of 39°F.
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There is a tiny 10% chance of rain, so you probably don’t need to carry a massive umbrella, but a water-resistant coat is basically mandatory. The UV index is a flat zero. Basically, the sun is taking a nap behind a thick layer of clouds, which is pretty standard for Paris in mid-January.
Looking ahead at the week
If you’re sticking around for a few days, the weather is going to stay in this weird, cool-but-not-frozen zone. Tomorrow, Monday, January 19, things warm up just a tiny bit with a high of 50°F and a low of 39°F. It’s still going to be cloudy, and that humidity is actually expected to jump up to 84%.
By Tuesday, we might hit 51°F, which is the peak for the week. After that, the mercury starts a slow slide back down.
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- Wednesday: 43°F High / 37°F Low (Partly Sunny—finally a break!)
- Thursday: 45°F High / 38°F Low (Light rain)
- Friday: 48°F High / 36°F Low (Cloudy with a higher 40% rain chance)
Why January in Paris is a mood
People always ask if January is a "bad" time to visit. It’s not bad, it’s just... moody. The average high for this time of year usually hovers around 44°F to 45°F, so today is actually right on the money. Historically, the record low for January in Paris was a brutal −14.6°C (about 5.7°F) back in the day, so 44°F is actually quite merciful.
The city feels different in this weather. The crowds are thinner, the cafes are packed with people drinking chocolat chaud, and the light has this soft, silver quality that painters like Pissarro used to obsess over.
Survival tips for the current Parisian chill
Don't be the tourist wearing a thin windbreaker. Parisians are masters of the "layering" game. You want a solid base layer, a wool sweater, and a coat that actually blocks the wind.
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Since the humidity is high (78% right now), dampness is your main enemy. If your feet get wet, you’re done for the day. Wear leather boots or something treated with a water repellent.
If you're out and about right now, head toward the 1st or 2nd Arrondissement. The covered passages (Passages Couverts) like Passage des Panoramas are perfect for these cloudy, 44°F days because they’re beautiful, historic, and, most importantly, heated.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your gear: If you're heading out now, grab a scarf and gloves; the 4 mph wind feels sharper than it sounds.
- Plan indoor stops: With a 10% chance of rain and total cloud cover, today is a perfect day for the Musée d'Orsay or the Louvre rather than a long picnic at the Champ de Mars.
- Monitor the evening drop: Temperatures will slide toward 39°F after sunset, so if you have dinner reservations, make sure your evening attire includes a heavy overcoat.